When did you start taking folic acid?

DH and I have just decided after months of deliberation to start TTC #2. Preparation for DS1 involved months of folic acid taking, tracking cycles, eating healthy, yoga....and I've done nothing like that this time around. Took my last pill at the weekend and just going to crack on. Buying folic acid today but bit worried about my preparation this time around....I'm 38.

Took folic acid for over three years pre DD1 - TTC was a long haul for her!

DD2 was a natural surprise conception, so I took folic acid from about five weeks. However, if we had been actively trying I would have been taking it before being pregnant (recommendation is to take it for at least three months before conception).

I can't remember exactly but quite a few months beforehand. There's a history of NTDs in my family so I was very aware of the importance of folic acid. As evil said the recommendation is three months (although my GP said you may as well just take it continuously if there's any chance you might get pregnant, even when not TTC).

By all means skip the charting, yoga etc this time around but don't skip the folic acid!

Don't feel that way chelle! Think of all the people who weren't trying and got their bfp and went on to have healthy babies! Same can be said for those who drank loads before they realised they were pregnant - my sister was on a boozy trip abroad when she found out and my nephew is a very clever healthy little boy!

That's true, thankyou. Although we were trying, I wasn't exactly planning on getting pregnant so quickly - first month trying. We were nervous about pregnancy because i had a mmc last year so although we were ttc we weren't exactly ready for a pregnancy!

Chelle so sorry to hear about your mmc I'm on cycle 15 (never had a bfp so unexplained infertility) and just seen the consultant who has told me I'll be having IUI next so I've been taking folic acid for 17 months already!!

I'm afraid that, although I was TTC, I didn't start taking folic acid until my BFP- out of wanting not to jinx things, or something equally irrational. However, it was September, and I am very fond of blackberries, so it was reassuring to find out that blackberries are a very good natural source of folic acid!

First time not until I knew I was pregnant, then every day. Second time from about 2 months before, but only every 3 days or so as kept forgetting. Bad mummy.It has more impact in the early days, that's why they recommend taking it before you conceive so you build up levels ready. But any time in the first trimester is beneficial. At least that's what doctor told me.

Started taking it in Feb ready to start TTC this month, one of my friends has ntd history in her family and consultant advised her to start much further in advance on very high dose, but thats for a high risk pregnancy.

As maplebaby said so long as you are taking it now thats the main thingm think of all those healthy surprise babys out there!